Cho Cho.................

Several years ago, well more than several, I made my grandsons a train quilt.  I had found a panel at Walmart, which is the center of the quilt, and then went and designed from there.  Pulling the colors out of the panel I picked the bright colors such as yellow, red, green and blue.  Out of these colors I made a 9 patch to go in each corner of the borders.  

Now if you look close you will see that in between the borders I added a 2” sashing of rail material.

Yes, that is the whole piece nothing but rails, rails and rails.  I fuzzy cut the rails out so they would run straight. I found this material on a shop hop in a little shop in the country.  No town for miles around but they had everything.  Couldn’t believe it and I bought a large amount because I figured I’d never find it again.  Still have some left and probably should sell it because I don’t think I’ll ever use it again. 

I seen one of the quilts about a month ago and they have really worn well.  The mother says that’s all they use when they sleep or cold sitting on the couch.  Glad they enjoy them.

Again don't be scared to buy a panel and make it your own quilt.  It's fun and whoever receives it will love it forever.

Here's to keep a stitchin'

Connie

"Handprint With Love"

On December 22, 2013 our Sunday School children presented our preacher, Dr. Gary and his wife, MiMi with this "Handprint With Love" quilt during the Children's Sermon.

The children each took a turn picking out the color of paint and then rubbing the paint on there hand and laying it on the fabric.  When the fabric was dry I heat set it by ironing.  I then added sashing between each block and joined the blocks together with another long piece of sashing.  Added borders of darker material to finish it off.  I used 2 pieces of religious material in this quilt with religious symbols and words of many colors.

The machine quilter set off the hands by quilting around them.  Then finished the blocks with a stitch in a ditch.

The preacher and his wife were very excited that something this special was made for them and will cherish it. 

To end the blog I'd like to let you read what the children said before they presented the quilt:

Dr. Gary........
Our God has sent you to this place
To lead us in the way
That He would have us work and think
And live from day to day.
We thank you for your ministry.
Your guidance and your care.
His greatest blessings for your life
Is our most humble prayer.

Another child read:
MiMi....
When we thank God for our pastor
We must give Him thanks for two.
For when your husband came to us,
God also sent us you.
A pastor's wife must be many things.
You have many hats to wear,
And we say thanks for all you do
And lift you up in prayer.

Another child read:
With our hands we made this quilt,
We each made a special part,
To show you that you warm our heart
And the friendship that we share.

It was fun to watch the children eyes during the time when Dr. Gary and MiMi were opening the gift.

Well keep on stitchin, until next time,
Connie

T Shirt quilt...................

NOTE:  not sure where the gray box came from and can't delete it so please ignore it.  Doesn't show in my draft??

Here it is in November already and Christmas decorations have been out for awhile I in the stores.  Many Christmas open houses were this last weekend and more to check out in the coming weeks.  We have a landscaping nursery here in town that has an open house every year at this time and it is just beautiful.  Over 40 decorated trees in this building that are 3 ft and over.  Every color of Christmas tree decorated to the fullest.  Ornaments and sprigs of glittery silver, gold, red, green and even harvest colors stuck in the trees.  Check out there website www.stonecreeknursery.com.  Be sure to click on Video tab and watch Larry decorate old with the new.  Some of the things he comes up with are so easy but you have to think outside of the box.  He does a great job with decorating.  Really enjoy visiting and shopping in this store.

Anyway, today I want to talk about T shirt quilts.  Christmas is a time to make and give a T shirt quilt to your son, daughter or maybe T shirts that your grandson or granddaughter wore.  T shirts vary in all sizes so you will have to figure out how you want to make it.  Don’t get scared thinking “I can’t do it.”  Yes you can.  Measure the T shirts and see which one is the biggest and then cut them all out the same size.  If one T shirt is to small maybe you can incorporate some of the wording or pictures from the back of the shirt.  Use your imagination!  Add sashing between the shirts or use left over T shirt material.  There are several websites that you can read up on T shirt quilts like how to stabilize your T shirt so it doesn’t stretch on you.  So check it out and start cutting!  They will be so excited to receive this quilt.

I've taken a picture of one of the blocks that I used to show you how this one was put together and the quilting around it.  You don't have to quilt a lot if you choose not to.  Some just like the emblem quilted and no quilting around it.  It's up to you. It's your quilt.  This particular quilt was made for my niece, Kelcie for her High School graduation.  The school colors were red, black and white.

Just have fun.  It's easier than it looks so give it a try!

Back to the sewing machine,

Keep on Stitchin'
Connie

Little Boy Blue...........................

Little Boy Blue

Come blow your horn

The sheep’s in the meadow

The cows in the corn…….

How can you not like nursery rhymes?  This is another block that goes with the Mother Goose quilt.  I bring each block to work and show my friends and they just loved this one. 

Again this block is just made out of scraps and everyone has a stash that they’d like to use up.  So try it!  Even if you don’t have a grandchild, don’t want to make all the blocks, use it in the center and create other blocks to go with it.  Use your imagination.

Watch for the next block. 

Keep on stitchin’

Connie

Time for everything...................

There is a time for everything,

A season for all things under heaven.

A time to be born, a time to die.

A time to plant, a time to harvest…

A time to grieve, a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones, a time to gather stones.

A purpose for all things under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2, 4-5

This is one of my favorite versus out of the Bible. There’s always time, you just have to make time.  Life is very short sometimes so let’s make the best of things now and make time for things we love to do besides being with family. 

I know one of the things I love to do is sew.  I will make time for sewing because it is a stress reliever for me even if I have to resew something.  During my childhood I joined 4H and learned to sew.  I didn’t like sewing because I seem to have to rip a bunch because my body wasn’t perfect.  Ha Ha  I sewed off and on during high school but after high school sewed very little.  Then I found a wall hanging I wanted to try for Christmas.  That’s when I fell in love with quilting.  I’ve been quilting ever since.

This wall hanging is made with scraps of dark and medium fabrics that I had in my stash.  Then I sent it to my quilter and let her stipple all over it.  Really liked the way it turned out.  I’ve also made a few extras and handed them out when I needed a quick gift.  Using scraps the only expense you have is the panel and quilter if you decide to take it to a quilter. 

So don’t just walk by the panels in your quilt store.  Check them out and do a log cabin design around the outside.  Quick and easy.

Keep Stitchin’

Connie

"The Owl and Pussycat" block..........................

Well we’ve had our first snow in this area (Kansas, USA).  They say the day the first snow falls is how many snows you’ll get in the coming winter.  Hope that’s not true cause if it is we can look to have 18 snows this winter.  That’s a lot of snows and a lot of shoveling.  When the snow falls I fill like its time to get out the Crockpot and make soup.  Guess I better be finding some new recipes for soups if I’m making 18 this winter.  

The Owl and Pussycat is such a cute block that goes with the “Mother Goose” quilt.  Again it’s made with scraps out of your own stash.  You pick and choose what goes where.  I basically did it the same way as I did on the other blocks.  On the Pussycat’s face I embroidered the nose with 2 strands of black floss verses blanket stitching a black nose on it.  This would be up to you how you’d like to do it because I do it both ways. For the eyes again I used black glass beads (used in jewelry making).  I like the look of it but you can use tiny buttons. 

Looking at this block doesn’t it make you feel like you’re in the boat? The waves to me create that feel. They’re so happy.

Be sure to check back while I continue on with the next block.  

Oh and if you have a good soup recipe send it my way.

So keep on stitchin,

Connie

Little Bo Peep

This has really been a fun project to work on.  I come home from work, make supper and then try and go to my sewing room even if its for a few minutes.  Just sit at the machine and listen to it hum around each piece. 

Little Bo Peep is another block that goes in the Mother Goose Nursery Quilt along with the Humpty Dumpty post I did on my blog.

This is another block where you can use any scraps that you might have stashed away. Put fabrics together that you wouldn't even consider putting together and see how it comes to life.

Background is 14 1/2" x 14 1/2" with 2 1/2" strips for borders.  Trace pieces of block unto fusible web.  Then cut out the pieces leaving a 1/4" inch around each piece. Match pieces to color of scraps that you would like to use for that piece.  Blanket stitch with sewing machine or by hand using the color of your choice for that particular piece.

Attach black buttons, I used glass beads used in jewelry making, for eyes on Bo Peep and her sheep.

Blush cheeks using makeup or pencil (which on this picture I forgot to do).

Then embroider using how many strands of thread you want, I chose 2 strands of black, the words "Little Bo Peep."

I think the next block will be "Owl and Pussycat."  Check back and see how this quilt comes to life with each block.  I'm doing all 9 blocks!

In the meantime,
Keep on stitchin'

Connie